Your vehicle may be wearing boots right now and you might not even know it. They’re called ball joint boots. They’re actually protective, flexible things that protect parts of your suspension (called ball joints) from all the hazards the road can fling at them. If one of those ball joint boots fails and you don’t […]
Straight Ahead (Wheel Alignment)
If every road was straight and smooth, we wouldn’t have to worry much about wheel alignment. But they’re not, so we do. Hitting potholes or driving on rough pavement can knock your vehicle out of alignment and you’ll notice it in one of several ways. Your steering wheel may not be centered when you’re driving […]
Take Charge! (Battery Testing)
OK, so you probably take your vehicle’s battery for granted. Turn the key or push a button and it starts right up. During times of warmer weather, you probably think your battery can take it easy. But it may surprise you to learn that hot weather can be much harder on a vehicle’s battery than […]
Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)
We all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it’s somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A […]
Busted! Air Conditioning (Air Conditioning Maintenance)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is something you count on when the weather heats up. But there’s bound to be a day when you turn it on and one of these things happens: Only warm air blows out Cold air starts blowing out but then it turns warm on its own It’s not blowing air at […]
Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)
There are some boots that don’t come in a shoe box and aren’t worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They’re also used in […]
Beware of Potholes! (Avoiding Pothole Damage)
You may live in a region where roads become pockmarked with craters known better as potholes. They’re caused by moisture seeping through a compromised road surface that can freeze, expand and literally punch holes in the road. And when your vehicle hits one of those holes that’s big enough, the impact can flatten a tire, […]
Tire or Re-Tire? (Getting Tires Ready for Hot Weather)
Heat isn’t easy on vehicle tires, and as the seasons change, make sure yours are ready to take the heat. Let’s talk first about inflation. Heat causes air to expand, so heat alone can raise the pressure in your tires. If you are driving on overinflated tires, they won’t have as much contact with the […]
The Right Oil for the Season (Engine Oil Viscosity)
As the temperatures plunge, certain types of engine oil may not flow as easily as they did when it was warmer. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Just like molasses gets thicker as the temperature goes down, engine oil does the same thing. So, maybe you’re wondering if you have to change your oil as the seasons […]
Greeted by a Screech (Loud Noise when Starting Vehicle)
No one likes to be greeted in the morning by having someone screech at you. The same goes for a loud, high-pitched noise your vehicle greets you with every time you start the engine. If you’re wondering if that’s normal, no, it isn’t. And it is worth getting checked out. The good news is that […]